Nicklaus Leads Senior Open When Third Round Is Cut Short

Jack Nicklaus had an eagle and two birdies over the last five holes Saturday and was the leader in the clubhouse in the third round of the U.S. Senior Open when thunder and lightning forced 14 golfers off the course at Peabody, Mass.

Jim Colbert eagled No. 14, then birdied No. 15 before the skies began rumbling and play was suspended.

After about 90 minutes of torrential rain, thunder and lightning that knocked out power at the Salem Country Club, the golfers were called together in a darkened clubhouse and told they could go home.

Play was scheduled to resume this morning at 7, “assuming we can get the golf course in shape to play,” USGA spokesman Marty Parkes said.

“I haven’t been in contention for any kind of a major in some time,” he said after shooting a 69 to finish 54 holes at two over par. “It feels good.”

Phil Mickelson matched the TPC at River Highlands course record with a career-best nine-under 61 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Greater Hartford Open at Cromwell, Conn.

Cristie Kerr shot a five-under 66 and was tied for the lead with Lorie Kane at nine-under 133 after two rounds of the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Absecon, N.J. Two-time champion Betsy King was a shot back after a 69. . . . Colin Montgomerie shot a three-under 68 to stretch his lead to three shots over Adam Scott after three rounds of the Irish Open at Cork, Ireland.

Miscellany

Former New York Giant Jeremiah Parker tried to hide signs that he abused his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son, prosecutors said in a Paterson, N.J., courtroom. The couple is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of Elijah Kelly, the son of Parker’s 19-year-old girlfriend, Tauleah Kelly.

The Washington Wizards bought out the final two seasons of shooting guard Mitch Richmond’s contract for $10 million, the Washington Post reported. The move made Richmond a free agent. . . . Johnny Tapia (50-2-2, 27 knockouts) stopped Cesar Soto (53-10-3, 39 KOs) in the third round of their featherweight bout at Las Vegas.